Antenna operating reel



March 3, 1942. L. s. BRACH, 2,274,882

ANTENNA OPERATING REEL Filed Aug. 1'7, 1940 SSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Z6070 Erma/ ATTORN EY March 3, 1942. s. BRACH ANTENNA OPERATING REEL Filed Aug. 17, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Lean BY ATTORNEY March 3,1942. L. s. BRACH 2,274,332

ANTENNA OPERATING REEL Filed Aug.= 17; 1940 s Sheets- Sheet s ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1942 E OFFICE ANTENNA OPERATING REEL Leon S. Brach, East OrangaN. 3., assignorto L. S. Brach Mfg. Corp, Newark, NJ.

Application August 1'7, 19%, Serial No. 353,047

(Cl. 25(l-33) 17' Claims.

the sections comprising the antenna by hand from the exterior of the vehicle. To raise and lower the antenna by means of a reel, from the interior of the vehicle, might, to one familiar with fishing reels, clothes-line reels, wire and other types of reels, seem like an easy problem,

but I have found, from investigation and many tests, that nothing in these types of reels suggests a solution of the particular problem involved in raising and lowering automotive vehiole antennae. for-example, I have heretofore used a round cable, which has been the standard practice, having considerable stiffness lengthwise of its direction, but otherwiseflexible, and connected to the proper antenna section for raising and lowering the antenna, but I have found that a round wire, which can buckle in any direction, buckles at a time when it should not, thereby causing binding in the reel or receptacle containing it, when being operated, which in turn creates trouble and dissatisfaction to the user.

It is the object of my present invention to provide a reel that is materially different from anything so far proposed and which will eliminate the troubles which I have heretofore observed and encountered; and to secure an antenna reel which can be manually operated from the inside of the vehicle with a smooth and easy action.

Another object of my invention is to provide a reel in which there is a positive stop provided to limit the distance to which the antenna, may

be extended.

These and other objects will be apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in connection with the annexed drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the cowl of an automotive vehicle, with my improved type of antenna mechanism installed thereon.

Figure 2 is an end view of the antenna mechanism shown in Figure 1, but on a somewhat larger scale, the bushings where the antenna Many difficulties are present;

holes-68 in thelugsi 69 of the member-2.

comes through the body of the vehicle-being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure -2, but turned ninety degrees.

Figure 4 isa view somewhatenlarged of'the reel, the two parts. of the exterior casing being separated longitudinally, :one from the other.

Figure 5 is a view similar-to Figure 4, but looking .at the opposite side, the cable from the receiving set as wellas the operating drive for the reel being removed.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the'reel per ,se corresponding'to the lineB:-6 of Figure 8, the upper part of the outer casingstud being shown in elevation.

:Figure 7 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 16, taken at ninety degrees thereto, showing the .method of attaching the antenna wiregoing to the receiving set to the antenna section, and also showingthe drive connection to the reel.

'Figuret is, a section on the line- 8'8 of Figure 3.

Figure -9 is a perspective View of the guide link used for guiding the antennasection drivewire. Figure 10. is a perspective view showing the stop mechanism for stopping the rotation of the reel mechanism is, made. up of two casings, one inside the others. The outerv casing is preferably of metal andris composed of twoparts l and 2 fastened together by screws 156 going through screw holes, 61 in the member I and :into tap part I comprises a plate portion having amounting stud extending therefrom. The stud has a base portion 3 preferably castintegralwith the plate I, and. a stem portion 4 threaded at 5 to receive a lock nut 6 which is adapted to engage an insulator l which in turn engages aflexible gasket 8 that rests against the exterior portion of the car, 9. Ametal bushing Hi servesto positionthe, mounting stud .-to-. that part of the body 9 through which the study protrudes, the lower end of the bushingv l0 engaging a collar vll .on the stud.

The-base portion} is provided with threaded screw holes 12 for fastening the reel to a bracket or part of the vehicle body l3. Positionedwithin the stud is a hollow insulator I4 which preferably protrudes beyond'the threaded portion: 5. of the stud. Located within the insulating bushing. l 4

is what may' be termed the basic or permanently positioned and lower section [5 of the antenna. The section I 5 is fastened in position by the threaded end l5 of a stud IT, a shouldered insulator I8 being used to insulate the stud I! from the stem 4. The stud I! has a reduced end [9 positioned within a flexible cable which brings the antenna wire 21 from the radio receiving set 22 to the stud around which the antenna wire 2| is wrapped and soldered. The cable 20 has a fork-type clamp 23 fastened thereto, the arms 24 of the fork engaging the stem 4 and being fastened thereto in any satisfactory manner as by rivets 25, thereby anchoring the antenna cable securely to the lower outer section 15 of the antenna. Other sections of the antenna are indicated at 25, 21 and 28, which may be arranged and constructed somewhat as shown in my joint application with Alexander Norden, J r., Serial No. 267,530, filed April 13, 1939.

The outer casing member 2 has a projection 29 threaded at 30 to receive a nipple 3! which engages a collar 32 fastened to a sleeve 33 which in turn is anchored to a flexible shaft conduit 34, through which extends a flexible drive shaft having a spade end 35 adapted to enter a slot 36 in the end of a stub shaft 31. To the outer end of the flexible shaft is fastened an operating crank or knob 38 which is mounted on the cowl in a convenient location to the driver or one sitting in the front seat of the vehicle. The inner end of the stub shaft is positioned in a hub 39 formed on one member 40 of the inner casing which has an annular flange 4| held in position within the outer metallic casing member 2 in any satisfactory manner as by screws or expansion pins 42 which enter the studs 43 preferably moulded integral with and located on the outer surface of the member 48 toward the outer casing member I.

Also located on this same side of the insulator 40, toward the outer casing member I, is a stud 44, to which is attached one end of a spring 45, the outer end of which is fastened to a lug 46 integral with a guide plate 47 that fits in a recess 48 in the outer face of the insulator 40.

'The guide plate 41 is held in its recess or seat 48 by a retainer plate 49 which is fastened to the outer face of the insulator 40 by a plurality of rivets or eyelets 50. The face of the insulator 40 has a portion cut out at 5| as defined by the broken line 52, most of the portion being covered by the retainer plate 49. Also, the flange 4| has an opening 53 therein at the junction of the flange with th base, to allow the passage therethrough of the drive wire 54, the inner end 55 of which is bent over and located in a hook-like formation 56 moulded in the insulator 57 which comprises the second member of the inner casing. The inner face of the member 51 is provided -with an annular track 58, within which are located the turns of the drive wire 54, as shown in Figures 6 and 8.

It should be noted at this point that the drive wire 54 is rectangular in cross-section and I have found that music wire, which is of a highgrade tempered steel, approximately .018 thick and .065 wide, gives excellent results, itbeing understood that the outer end of the drive wire 54 is attached to the inner end of the inner antenna section 28. This type of drive wire will only bend or buckle in two directions, whereas the ordinary round wire, which has been used heretofore as the drive wire, will buckle in any direction. By having a drive wire that will buckle in only two directions, I can control its operation in a manner to be hereinafter pointed out.

The stub shaft 31 has a flat 59 thereon and is moulded integral with th disc-type casing member 51, a hub 60 preferably being provided on the insulator 51 to secure a sufficient length of bearing for the stub shaft 51. Preferably, a friction washer 5| is positioned between the insulator 51 and a plurality of bosses 62, three being all that are necessary, projecting inwardly from the casing member 2.

The guide plate 4'! is provided with a hook or finger 63 which projects over the convolutions of the drive wire 54, with the exception of the outer convolution or turn, as I have found that the reel works better if the last one or two turns are left free or outside the hook or finger 63. The main function of the finger 63 is to prevent a binding action upon the drive wire which would result if the guide plate and finger were not used, because all of the turns of the wire would expand to the outside of the track, and when the reel is turned to effect an upward motion of the antenna sections, these turns would be apt to pinch the outer turn between the inner rim of the track of the reel and the other expanding turns or convolutions. This would prevent the drive wire from coming out of the reel in a satisfactory manner, but by using the guide plate 41 with its finger 63 in the manner above indicated, between the majority of the convolutions of the wire and preferably the outer turn, this turn is left free from this pinching action and can therefore readily assume a position, as it comes out of the reel, which will give free and easy action.

The member 51 is provided with a recess in which is fitted an L-shaped stop member 54 preferably of suitable metal such as steel. The inner edge of the track 58, between the stop member 64 and the hook formation 56, is cut away at 65 so that when the inner convolution of the drive wire is reached, the lug or projection 63 of the guide plate 47 will pass into this cut-away space 65 and engage the stop member 64, thereby providing means for preventing the drive wire 54 from being pulled free of its hook seat.

From what has been said, the operation of the structure will b apparent without further description. It will likewise be obvious that certain of the details may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims,

What I claim is:

1. For operating a vehicle antenna composed of telescopic sections; a reel including a pair of casings, one inside the other, the outer casing supporting the said sections, the inner casing at least being of insulating material and having one stationary part fastened to the other casing and one part revoluble in the stationary part, means for revolving said revoluble part and driving means for the sections having considerable stiffness longitudinally of its length, yet being bendable, normally wound concentrically and positioned between the parts of said inner casing and having one end anchored tothe revoluble part with its free end extending through the peripheral portion of the stationary part into a portion of the outer casing and connected to the proper section of the antenna.

2. For operating a vehicle antenna composed of telescopic sections; a reel including a pair of casings, one inside the other, the outer casing supporting the said sections, the inner casing at least being of insulating material and having one stationary part fastened to the outer casing and one part: revoluble in the stationary part, means for revolving said revoluble partand a driving means forthe; sections comprising a single steel wire having; ashape rectangular in crosssection; normally wound concentrically and positioned between the parts ofthe inner casing, a track. for the convolutions formed in one of the parts-of the inner-casing, one end ofthe wire being drivingly connected tothe part having the track, the other. end. of the wire extending through the. peripheral portion. of the stationary part intoa, portion of the outercasing and connectedfto the proper section of the antenna.

3.7For operating a vehicle antenna. composed of, telescopic sections," a, reel including a pair of casings, one inside the other, the outer casing supportingthe saidsections, the inner casing at least being, of insulating material and having one stationary part fastened. to theouter casing and one part revoluble in the stationary part, means for revolving. said revoluble part and a driving meansfor the sections'comprising a single steel wire having a shape which will permit bending the wire in only two directions, a track .for the wire which is normally wound concentrically to fit insaid track, one endof the wire being drivingly. connectedto the revoluble part, the other end of, the wire extending through the peripheral portion of the stationary part into a portiongof the outer casing and connected to the proper section of the antenna.

4. A reel for operating an antenna as defined in claim I, further characterized in that the outer casing is of metal and has a projecting stem by which the reel is mounted on the vehicle, the stem also carrying the lower antenna section, andmeans for making electrical connection from the receiving set to the antenna section comprising a stud going through said stem but. insulated therefrom and into the said lower section.

5. A reel for operating an antenna as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the outer casing is of metal and has a projecting stem and an elongated insulator positioned in the stem and protruding throught the end of the stem which passes through a part of the vehicle body, fitting means engaging this said end of the stem to clamp it to the vehicle body, the said insulator having a hole therein to receive the lower of said sections and the driving means, means for insulatingly anchoring the section in the insulator and stem, said anchoring means serving also to complete an electrical connection between the radio receiving set and said lower section.

6. For operating a vehicle antenna composed of telescopic sections; a reel including an outer metallic casing having means for mounting the reel on a part of the vehicle, an inner plural-part casing of insulating material, one of the parts of the inner casing having a stub shaft anchored thereto for rotation with said shaft, the shaft extending through the outer metallic casing and adapted to receive operating means, a drive wire circularly positioned in convolutions between said part carrying the stub shaft and another part of the casing of insulating material which is fixed to the outer casing, the drive wire having one end anchored to said rotating part, while the other end passes through portions of both casings, and at least part of said mounting means, but insulated therefrom and connected to the inner of said sections.

7. For operating a vehicle antenna composed oftelescopio sections a reel' including an outer metallicr casing having meansfor'mounting the reel on a, of; the vehicle, an inner two-part casing Off insulating material, one part being fastened to'the outercasin'g and havinga fiange encompassing, the. other part, said other part having anoperating shaft ext'endingthrough the outer casing and adapted to receive operating means, said parthaving? the shaft also having: a circular track near its outer periphery drive wire-located-inthe track and held therein by the first of said parts of. the inner casing, the inner, end of the: w-ire'being anchored to the parthaving the shaft, while the other endof. the Wire passesthroughsaid flange and through: the outer casing, but insulated therefrom, and connected to the inner of said-sections.

8; An antennareel asset forth in claim 6, furtherdefined inv that a guide plate is carried by said fixed part of the inner casing, the guide plate having. a. finger v overlapping the convolutionsof the drive wire, except atleast the outer turn, and a spring for continuously exerting a pull on the guide plateandpressure on the said convolutions tothereby better position the drive wire in the casing and allow easy movement of the drive wire to and from the casing.

9. An antenna reelas set forth in claim 6, further defined in that a guide plate is carried by said fixed part. of the inner casing, the guide. plate having. a finger overlapping. the convolutions-of the drive wire, except. at least the outer turn, and. arspring for continuously exerting a pull on the guide plate and pressure on the said convolutions. to thereby better position the drive wire in the casing, and a retainer plate carried by said fixedpart of the inner casing and extendingoverthe guide plate.

10; An antenna reelas set forth in claim 6, further'defined in that a guide plate is carried by said fixed part of. the inner casing, the guide plate having a finger overlapping the convolutions of the drive wire, except at least the outer turn, and a spring for continuously exerting a.

pull on the guide plate and pressure on the said convolutions to thereby better position the drive wire in the casing, a retainer plate carried by said fixed part of the inner casing and extending over the guide plate, and stop means carried by the rotating part coacting with the guide plate to limit the extent of protrusion of the antenna sections.

11. An antenna reel as set forth in claim 6, further defined in that a guide plate is carried by said fixed part of the inner casing, the guide plate having a finger overlapping the convolutions of the drive wire, except at least the outer turn, and a spring for continuously exerting a pull on the guide plate and pressure on said convolutions to thereby better position the drive wire in the casing and allow free movement from and into the casing, a retainer plate carried by said fixed part of the inner casing and extending over the guide plate, and a metallic angle piece located in an angle recess in the rotating member, the end of one arm of the angle acting with the guide plate finger to provide a stop for the reel.

12. An antenna reel as set forth in claim 7, further defined in that a guide plate is set in a recess in the fixed part which has a' retainer plate over the guide plate, the guide plate having a finger overlying the convolutions of the drive wire, except at least the outer one, in said track, and a spring carried by the fixed part acting on the guide plate to apply a continuous pull on the guide plate so its finger will draw the stated convolutions of the drive wire toward the inner wall of the track for the purpose described.

13. An antenna reel as set forth in claim 7, further defined in that a guide plate is set in a recess in the fixed part which has a retainer plate over the guide plate, the guide plate having a finger overlying the convolutions of the drive wire, except at least the outer turn, in said track, with a spring carried by the fixed part acting on the guide plate to apply a continuous pull on the guide plate so its finger will draw the stated convolutions of the drive wire toward the inner wall of the track, a member acting at least as part of a stop means for the reel located so a portion is substantially flush with the inner wall of the track, the track wall being relieved between said member and the guide plate substantially as and for the purpose described.

14. For operating a vehicle antenna composed of telescopic sections; a reel including an outer metallic casing having means for mounting the reel on a part of the vehicle, an inner two-part casing of insulating material, a rotatable shaft carried by one of said two parts, a track formed in the part carrying the shaft, a drive wire rectangular in cross-section coiled concentrically in the track, the depth of the track being but slightly greater than the width of the wire, the inner end of the Wire being anchored to the part carrying the shaft, While the outer end of the wire passes through the wall of the inner casing and into the outer casing and thence to the proper antenna section, the other part of the inner casing being fixed to the outer casing and overlying the track and wire convolutions therein, resilient pressure means for drawing the convolutions, except at least the outer one, together where the wire leaves the inner casing, and means for preventing the drive wire, during normal operation of the reel, from being pulled out of the reel.

15. An antenna reel as set forth in claim 14, further characterized in that a friction plate is positioned between the outer casing and the rotating part of the inner casing.

16. For operating a vehicle antenna composed of telescopic sections; a reel having a fixed casing and a rotatable member therewithin with means extending from the fixed casing for operating the rotatable member, driving means for the sections having considerable stiffness longi tudinally of its length, yet being bendable, normally wound concentrically and carried by said rotatable member and having one end anchored thereto for actuation therefrom, while the other end is connected to the proper section of the antenna, and means comprising 'a guide plate having a finger overlying at least part of the turns of said driving means, and a spring applying a continuous pull on the drive plate for preventing any binding action of the driving means within the reel.

1'7. For operating a vehicle antenna composed of telescopic sections; a reel having a part operatively carrying a flexible drive member for operating the antenna sections to extended and retracted positions, with means extending within the reel for actuating the driving member, and means Within the reel comprising a resiliently actuated slidable guide plate for engaging the drive member, with means for holding the guide plate in operative position for preventing any binding of the drive member within the reel as it is operated, and further means permanently fixed within the reel acting as a positive stop to the part carrying the drive member to prevent the drive member from being disconnected from the reel.

LEON S. BRACH. 

